Freight loading apparatus



Ju 1,1 59 H. w. C APMAN Em 2,893,328

: FREIGHTLOADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1954 H 4 m i W, W 5 m flarr 2,893,328 FREIGHT LOADING APPARATUS Harvey W. Ghapman, Detroit, and Henry L. Dunlap,

Dearborn,.Mich., assignors to Evans Products Company, PIym'outh,-Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1954, Serial No. 476,337

7 Claims. (Cl. 105--369) The present invention relates to permanent and portable deck members adapted to be secured to a floor or deck of a freight storage area. More particularly, the invention relates to a system of permanent and portable deck members wherein the portable deck members are adapted to be locked to the permanent deck members by lever-like latch member.

In the copending application of Harvey W. Chapman and Henry L. Dunlap, Serial No. 457,474, filed September 18, 1954, now US. Patent No. 2,834,304, granted May 13, 1958, there is disclosed a freight storage system in which structural members are secured to a pair of opposed surfaces enclosing a freight storage area, for example on the deck of a ship and on the overhang thereabove. These structural deck members have an aligned pattern of holes in their exposed surfaces which are utilized for the erection or securing of freight bracing members, portable deck members, chocks, wedges, chain and cable anchors, etc. These latter members are locked in the holes of the deck grid pattern by means of shouldered, latch-operated pins.

'Ihe freight bracing system of the above-mentioned application utilizes a fixed, preferably rectangular or square pattern of intersecting deck and overhang members together with portable deck members placed wherever necessary at intermediate points on the squares for the erection of vertical freight-bracing members. In such a system, it is the portable deck members which permit the erection of verticals anywhere on the deck. The portable deck member shown in the copendin-g application is of a type which employs latch-operated, shouldered pins on each end to lock it to the deck members.

The present invention relates to a modification of the freight storage system of the above-mentioned copending application whereina pattern of flange-bearing structural deck members are employed to permit the locking of portable deck members to the deck member flanges. This provides a more firmly anchored portable deck member having greater resistance to lifting and to shearing stress. In accordance with this invention, each of the holebearing deck grid members are provided with an outwardly-projecting flange or locking means on either side, under or over which the portable deck members of this invention are anchored. For this purpose, permanent deck members having a pi (11') section are preferred wherein the projecting flanges are integral with the web portion and flush with the deck surface. The portable deck member of this invention employs a latching member on each end which engages under the deck member flange to prevent the member from being lifted up or from being moved sideward and longitudinally. Pins may be'provided, as in the portable deck member of the copending application, but these may be fixed, straight-sided pins having greater strength. The combination of the flanged permanent deck members and the lever locked portable deck members of this invention are intended for use with the telescopic vertical freight-bracing members, tomming 2 members and other permanent dunnage members of the above-mentioned copending application.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent, or will become apparent, in the following, more detailed description of the invention having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view with portions broken away and in section, showing a square-sided pattern of pisectioned deck members secured to deck hold-down plates \and showing a portable deck member of this invention secured thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view in section of one latchend of a portable deck member of this invention latched in position on a pi-sectioned deck grid member;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view across the portable deck member of Figs. 1 and 2 showing in particular the mounting of the latching member, the disposition of the trigger and the location of the bracing springs, the View being taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a second transverse sectional view across the deck member of Figs. 1 to 3 showing in particular the mounting of the latch plate and the end pins which are inserted in the deck grid members, the view being taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, it will be seen that an intersecting grid of permanent deck members has been laid out, the grid members being at right angles to each other, and composed of continuous parallel longitudinal members 10 and shorter transverse members 12. Each of the members 10, 12 have a pi (1r) section having on each side a flange 14- integal with the top web section 16 so as to be flush with the deck surface. The members 10, 12 are secured to the supporting surface 18, which may be the metal deck or overhead of a ship, the floor or sides of a railroad car or highway truck, or the floor of a warehouse, by means of hold-down plates 20. To install the permanent deck members 10, 12, lines of studs 22 are endwelded to the deck, or passed entirely through it, so as to project upwardly therefrom. The hold-down plates are then slipped over the studs 22 and secured thereto by nuts as shown. The deck members 10, 12 then are aligned and edge-welded to the hold-down plates 20. The overhead above, or opposite surface, is provided with a similar pattern of members 10, 12 aligned with that on the deck or opposite side.

The members 10, 12 are seen to have in their upper or exposed surfaces a pattern composed of lines of holes 24 placed at regular spacing, with the lines preferably being at the same spacing as the center distance between holes in each line. This standard spacing of the hole pattern will permit the erection of vertical bracing members, portable deck members, and other dunnage pieces at any place on the deck or overhead grid pattern. The cross section of the members 10, 12 can be any shape wherein a flange, projection, rib, slot or shoulder, or any other securing means is provided to which the portable deck member can be attached or anchored.

As appears in Fig. 1, the spaces between the permanent deck members 10, 12 are filled in with planks or planking members 30, each of which is secured to the deck surface 18 by means of studs 32 welded thereto, each of which is shown to be covered with a plug 34. As appears most clearly in the broken away portion of Fig. 1, each end of each planking members 30 is cut away in a stepwise fashion so as to leave a slot-like area 36 adjacent to each of the members 10, 12. In this slot, the latching member on the ends of the portable deck member-38 is inserted to engage the flanges 14 of either a pair longitudinals 10 or of a pair of transverse members 12.

As appears most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, the portable deck member 38 is a member having a shape like a channel andin its upper surface a pattern of holes 24 corresponding in spacing to those of the permanent deck grid members 10, 12. In each end of the channel-shaped body section 40 there is welded a latch plate 42 having outer shoulders or upstandingflanges 44 welded, bolted or otherwise secured to the lower edges 46 of the body channel. On its bottom side near the front edge thereof, the plate 42 is provided with a pair of straight-sided fixedpins 48 which areinserted in a pair of the holes 24 in the web 16 of either of members or 12. The pins 48 are not essential but the use of at least one fixed pin on each end of the memberis preferred since they assist in locating and attaching the member and co-operate with the pivoted lock levers to yield an exceptionally firm anchor. Between the upstanding shoulders 44, plate 42 is provided with a transverse reinforcing rib 50 and an integral upstanding bracket member 52 on which is mounted a latch lever 54, the latter being mounted on a rod or pin 56 passedthrough bracket member 52. As shown, the lever 54 preferably has a wide face 55 extending across substantially the full width of the channel to provide a wide contact area with the flanges 14.

The latch lever 54 has a hook-like finger 58 in the rear surface of face 55 which is shaped to fit under and firmly grasp the edge of flange 14. The lever 54 is free to pivot on rod,5'6 except for the urging of a pair of upwardlyprojecting spring arms 60, preferably one on each side of the lever, as shown, which arms make contact with the web 40 of the member. The lock levers 54 need not be spring-biased but could be so designed and mounted that unbalanced weight could be employed to bias them to the locked position. The spring-like arms 60, however, are preferred because they hold the lock levers always in a proper downwardly-projecting position ready to enter the slot 36. The spring arms 60 are secured to an upstanding trigger fingeror release handle 64 integral with lever 54 and so located that it can be grasped by a finger or hooklike tool inserted through one of the holes 24 in the upper channel surface. If'desired, the trigger or release handle 64 could be separate and the spring arms directly connected to the lock lever.

A lift upwardly on trigger 64 will cause the lever 54 to pivot upwardly around rod 56 so as to disengage the hooklike'finger 58 from under the edge of flange 14. Once the fingers '58 have cleared the flanges the portable deck member'38' can be lifted to disengage pins 48 from the holes 24in the members 10 or 12. Toinstall the member 38, theoperator can retract the trigger 64 so that lever 54 will enter the slot 36. He then locates the pins 48 above the holes 24 and pushes downwardly to simultaneously insert the pins in the'holes and :free lever 54 into the slot. Release of the trigger 64 allows spring arms 60 to bias the lever 54' downwardly sothat the finger 58 engages the flange 14. It should be noted, however, that the pins'48 have a tapere'd crown 66 and the finger 58 has a tapered leading'edge 70 sothat the operator need not retract the release'hand'le 54 in order to install the member 38. All that he need 'do is to approximately locate the pins 48 on each end with respect'to pairs of holes 24 in either of members 10, 12 and then press down or stamp on the member to force the pins 48 and lever 54 into position. The taperedpincrowns 66 and the tapered lever edges 70 cause'the portable deck member to locate itself and facilitate entry into locking position. The spring arm-s60 makethe latch self-operating. The release handle 64, however, does have to be retracted by hand or tool in order to release the portable deck member.

The useof flanged permanentdeck members and a widef-faced lock levefmechanism provides a more secure anchoring of ithe'portable deck members. The load on the pins 48 ;is reduced and the rugged latch lever is unlikely to be damaged even in severe service. The portable deck, member of'this'invention forms a' secure anchor against shifting of freight andjaijsecure anchor for the erection in vertical bracing members wheretheseare required at points intermediate the fixed deck grid members. Moreover, the deck members are more easily installed and removed than similar members having latchoperated shouldered lock pins.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination of fixed and portable deck members comprising a plurality of spaced fixed structural members secured to each of two substantially parallel surfaces enclosing a freight storage area, said surfacesh'aving openirigs therein extending along the side of said fixed members, each said fixed structural member having an outwardly-projecting anchor means on'each side thereof, and a plurality of portable deckmembers having locking apertures along the length thereof and engaging said surfaces, each of said portable deck members having adjacent but inwardly of each end a lock lever extending through said openings in said surfaces and engaging the said outwardly-projecting anchor means on the said fixed structural members to attach the portable members to the fixed members.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock levers are spring biased.

3. A'combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said portable deck member is provided at each end with atleast one fixed pin adapted to engage one of a pattern of holes in said fixed members.

4. A combination of fixed and portable deck members comprising a plurality of spaced'fixed structural members secured to a freight-supporting surface and on the overhead thereabove, each said fixed structural member having anoutWardly-projecting flange on each side thereof and a pattern of holes in an exposed side thereof, said surfaces having openings therein along the flanges of said fixed members, and a plurality of portable deck members engaging said fixed members at points intermediate their ends, each of said portable deck members having on each end at least one pin locateds'o as to fit into one of said pattern holes in said fixed members and a spring-biased lock lever extending through said openings in said surfaces and engaging under the said outwardly-projecting flange on the said fixed structural members to attachthe portable members to the fixed members.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the said pins and the said lock levers have tapered leading edges to allow the said pins and the said levers to be forced into position.

6. A portable deck bracing bar comprising an elongated channel-shaped body member having a Web portion with a pattern of holes therein and two legs, a support element secured between said legs adjacent to and'inwardly of one end of said member, said support element having an outer surface extending substantially parallel tosaid web portion and facing in the same direction that said legs extend and positioned outwardly of said legs, said outer'surface being adapted to engage a supporting surface having holes therein in a manner to support the end of said member, a fixed pin projecting outwardly from said outer surface and adapted to extend through one of the holes in said supporting surface, a lock leverhaving one end thereof pivoted on said support element and extending over one side thereof so as toproject beyond said outer surface in one'position or to 'strike against said web in the oppositely rotated position,'the projecting end of said lock lever having a hook portion thereon, said lock lever being'pivoted on an axis extending transversely between said legs so that the pivotal movement thereof is lirnited in one direction by the side of said support element over which it extends and in the other direction by said Web portion of said member, and spring biasing means acting between said web portion andsaid lock lever to normally urge the lock lever toward said support element.

7. A' portable deck'bracing bar comprising an elongated body member having a'webportion with a pattern of holes therein and two legs, a support element secured between said legs adjacent to and inwardly of one end of said member, said support element having an outer surface extending substantially parallel to said web portion and facing in the same direction that said legs extend, a fixed pin projecting outwardly from said outer surface and adapted to extend through a hole in a supporting surface, a lock lever having one end thereof pivoted on said support element and extending over one side thereof so as to project beyond said outer surface, the projecting end of said lock lever having a hook portion thereon, said lock lever being pivoted on an axis extending transversely between said legs so that the pivotal movement thereof is limited in one direction by the side of the support element over which it extends, and spring biasing means acting between said web portion and said lock lever to normally urge the lock lever toward said support element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

